Clearer in Time

EPILOGUE: Memories
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The echoing sound of hoof beats slowly faded as the chestnut mare made its way out of the forest. The cover of trees faded, and above them was blue sky once more. The field stretched out before them, a beautiful, prosperous land that had once been home.

A young man in green took in the scenery, his blue eyes shimmering with nostalgia. After so many years, he was back.

He looked to his companion, riding beside him. His scarlet eyes were taking in the scenery, trying their best not to look impressed.

“This is it, huh?” Dark Link said, his eyes still captivated by the rolling hills of Hyrule field. He turned to face Link, a teasing smirk on his face. “Not quite as spectacular as you made it out to be.”

Link smiled back, returning to his thoughts. Regardless of what Dark had to say, he was happy to be home. He hadn’t slept for seven years, as he had in his alternate life, but he had missed Hyrule just as much in this one.

He remembered everything. He remembered the other side of the timeline, and how things had been. He remembered his adventures, seeing all of his friends as grown adults. He remembered his death…

He remembered Zelda’s wish, for him to forewarn the Sages. He had done as she had asked. He had never seen the direct results of his actions, but Ganondorf had never surfaced. When he had asked, Zelda had merely said that he had been “taken care of.” He didn’t question further, but every once in a while, the Triforce in the back of his hand would pulse, as if reminding him that Ganon still held his own shard.

Hyrule remained peaceful. The Triforce was still divided, but with Ganondorf subdued, and Link and Zelda holding the other shards, it hardly seemed to matter. The adventure was over. Link was returned to his childhood, and apart from Ganon’s momentary entry into the Sacred Realm, the world seemed to forget all that had happened. Except for Link and Zelda, of course.

Link’s peace of mind didn’t last long. The next few years past, Link growing more and more tormented each day. His past, or his future, whatever it would be called, haunted him. He had died, after all. Someone close to him had died. He had fallen in love with someone who didn’t exist in this world.

And besides the memories of his friends, the adventures past haunted him. He remembered what it had been like to travel from place to place, from one adventure to the next. It was lonely sometimes, but all in all, it was a lifestyle he enjoyed more than any other.

He had said goodbye to his friends, sad to part from them all, but unable to ignore the call. There were other worlds to see, other adventures to be had.

He had seen other lands, strange lands. He had come across two kingdoms that had been connected somehow, where the Goddesses of Hyrule were but mere mortals, and ages and seasons could be manipulated.

He had stumbled into a land that seemed to be a mirror of Hyrule itself. A dark reflection, where the Goddesses silently watched the world crumble, and the masks one wore changed more than their appearance. He had kept a mask from that world, for a while. It’s power, though, had proved too frightening even for the Hero. He had hidden it somewhere in the woods, hoping that no one else would find it.

In spite of all the new lands he had traveled, and all the new friends he had made, one or two familiar faces had appeared along the way. The wind mage, Vaati, had appeared before him once more. Apparently, his memory of Ganon’s reign was unchanged. Instead of seeking vengeance, however, the wind mage had aided him. The mage was skilled in sorcery, and sought to repay the favor that his fallen adversary had granted him.

Link turned his eyes down to the palm of his hand, inspecting the deep scar upon it. A small price to pay, for the life of his friend. Vaati’s blood weaving had proved just as skillful as Ganon’s. Except, though, that Dark’s memory was not unaffected. He remembered nothing of the life before this one, of Malon, or his death, or anything.

That, Link thought, would soon be taken care of. As soon as they arrived at their destination. The thought was a bittersweet one. He was happy to reunite two of his dear friends, after a reality apart, but he could not help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

He wouldn’t be reunited with the one he cared for. For all intents and purposes, she had never even existed. Link had tried to move on, never wanting to forget her, but not wanting to live his life in misery, either. He and Zelda had had their own passionate, short lived young romance. It didn’t last, though. They both knew full well that such wasn’t meant to be, and that their hearts were indifferent places. The princess’s to her kingdom, and the Hero’s to someone who lived only in a different reality.

After it had ended, Link had decided that it was time to move on. He had left, and had not seen Hyrule since.

Now, seven years after he had returned to change the past, Link was looking upon the land of Hyrule once again, this time with his double at his side. He had promised Zelda that he would come back when such time had passed. All of Hyrule would be packed into the castle town. Today was the day that Zelda was to be crowned Queen of Hyrule.

“I don’t understand why we’re breaking our back to see this girl,” Dark said, jolting Link from his thoughts. “It’s not like the skirt’s coming up or anything.”

Link merely shook his head at his double. He wasn’t under the orders of Ganon as an evil assassin this time, but he still was no benevolent hero.

“She’s a friend of mine,” Link replied. “Besides, I told you I’d make it worth your while.”

“That’s what you say, but you still haven’t told me with what.” Dark Link’s arms were crossed over his chest.

Link rolled his eyes at his opposite, turning his gaze back to the field. They were cresting a hill, Hyrule Castle peering over the horizon.

…

The two travelers pushed their way through the crowds, making their way towards the castle path. There were people from all over Hyrule. Gorons and Zoras were even out and about. Gerudo were present in abundance, taking advantage of the gathering to seek out potential men. Surrounding the crowd were makeshift stands, salesmen peddling their wares.

Link kept his eye out for one stand in particular, making sure that Dark was following behind him and hadn’t run off with someone while his back was turned. It was known to happen.

Through the crowd, Link spotted his destination. A larger stand, a crowd packed in front of it. Link grabbed a hold of Dark’s sleeve and led him towards it.

The booth was manned by two ranchers, one short and plump, the other tall and gangly. Among them was a young woman with long red hair. She was up front, taking order after order from the long line of customers. Link jumped in line, still holding Dark by the sleeve. The double wore a look of furious disdain.

“Would you quit dragging me around?” he hissed. He tilted his head up to see the sign over the kiosk. “This is what you dragged me halfway across the world for? A cheap milk bar?” Link said nothing, just watched as they slowly moved closer to the front.

The redhead was ready to serve them as they reached the front. She looked up to meet his gaze, half of her prepared line still leaving her mouth.

“What can I get for…” She looked hard at him, as if not believing who it was. “Fairy Boy…?” Link smiled at her, watching her face light up. She turned away from him, calling to her father over the clamor of customers.

“Daddy, I have to take a break.” Her father grunted and nodded in reply, busy with his work. Malon turned back to Link and motioned towards the back of the stand. Link nodded and stepped out of the line, walking around to the back of the kiosk. Dark Link followed.

A small, shanty door opened from the back of the stand. Malon practically jumped at Link, embracing him in a fierce hug.

“Fairy Boy!” she squealed. “Where have you been? It’s been so long.” She pulled away from him, staring up at him with eyes that shined with tears.

“I suppose you’re here to see the princess?” Malon asked, eyeing him teasingly.

“Well, yes, but…” Link stepped aside. Malon stared at another man. He looked just like Link, but different. His eyes were red, and his clothes were black. He had pale skin and paler hair. “I wanted to introduce you to somebody.”

“O-oh… I see…” Malon was at a loss for words, staring into the stranger’s crimson eyes. She hardly noticed when Link slipped past her, making his way back into the crowd. Dark Link remained equally oblivious. He stared into the redhead’s turquoise eyes. Never in his life had he seen anything so beautiful.

“What’s your name?” he asked her.

“Malon,” she said flirtatiously. “What can I call you?” Dark smirked at her, showing his pointed canine teeth. Malon felt her insides quell at the sight of them, as if her knees might buckle.

“You can call me whatever you’d like,” he said.

…

Vaati watched from his mind’s eye. His face was as neutral as ever, but inside he felt a warm sensation. Perhaps this is what it felt like to be good, to put others before ones’ self? It was a feeling he could get used to. Any feeling was. It had been so long since he had felt anything. He had worked so hard to rid himself of emotions, seeing them as nothing but a weakness. He had long since forgotten how wonderful they could be.

The forest hummed around him, the leaves rustling on the branch he sat upon. In his mind’s eye, he could see the mixture of confusion and happiness on the faces of both the farm girl and the doppelganger. They didn’t recognize each other, exactly. But they had not forgotten each other. They knew each other in another flow of time, loved each other. If Vaati had learned anything from his most recent adventure, it was that feelings could sometimes be stronger than any magic he knew of.

Along with the Bearers of the Triforce, Vaati was the only one who remembered anything from the other reality. He remembered what the Hero’s double had done for him, and had been more than pleased to return the favor when he had crossed Link’s path.

He also remembered the feelings, however momentary, that had been caused by another. He looked down from his tree, an ocarina’s tune echoing throughout the meadow below. The forest girl sat upon a tree stump, swaying a bit in time with her ocarina’s song.

She would be a Sage, one day, Vaati remembered. When that day came, all of her memories of her other life would return. Until then, however, she would be just as everyone else in Hyrule, unaware of what had transpired. She wouldn’t remember him.

Would she anyway? Vaati’s mind called. They had only met for a second. It had been one kiss…

Well, Vaati countered himself. Her memory would decide it. The farm girl and the double didn’t exactly know each other, but their feelings were just as strong in a different flow of time. Somehow, they found each other familiar.

Vaati wasn’t much for feelings, but he had felt something when Saria had kissed him, and something was more than he had felt in eternities. As for Saria recognizing him, he could only cross his fingers.

With a single gust of wind, he vanished from the tree branch and reappeared in the meadow below, standing a small distance from the forest girl. He saw her surprise as he appeared, her song stopping abruptly. Her blue eyes looked into his visible one curiously. Vaati tried to remember what to say, but found himself at a loss for words. He cursed himself for being so nervous.

Finally the forest girl spoke, her voice echoing throughout the grove.

“Do I… do I know you? You look familiar, somehow?” She eyed him curiously, rising from her seat and approaching him slowly. Vaati, felt his lips curling in an irrevocable smile, a rare thing.

“Yes,” he said. “You do know me. You could say that…”

…

Link watched from the crowd as Zelda was crowned. She gave a beautiful speech from a raised podium, the Sages and various others standing around her. The crowd roared and cheered as the crowning finished and the celebration began. Music rose from the cacophony of cheers, and many started dancing.

Link made his way through the crowd, towards the back of the stage, where Zelda and her company were headed. He made it just as the new queen was descending the stairs. Two guards eyed him suspiciously, but then Zelda spotted him and pushed her way between them.

“Link!” she cried, jumping at him and wrapping her arms around him. “You came! I hoped you would make it.” She looked up at him. Link eyed the sparkling tiara crowning her.

“Congratulations,” he said.

“Thank you,” she replied. “I’ve so much to tell you. Would you care to dance?”

Link nodded. Of course. Before he could take her away, Zelda was approached by one of her companions, a small blonde girl in lavender dress. She met Link’s eyes for a moment. He felt his heart jump into his throat as he saw them. A beautiful amber color. Then it was over, and she turned back to Zelda

“My lady,” she said to her. “Are we heading back to the castle?”

“Not quite yet,” the new queen said with a smile. “I want to enjoy the party for a while. And I wanted to introduce you to somebody.” She motioned to Link, the two women turning to face him. Link saw her face for the second time. It couldn’t be…

“This is my dear friend, Link,” Zelda said warmly. “Link, this is my close friend and bodyguard, Sheik.” Link felt as though he was about to fall over backwards. His head was spinning.

“Hello,” Sheik said formally, her eyes staring into his with a look that he couldn’t read. “I’ve heard so much about you.” Link opened his mouth, only to feel extremely foolish when no words came out.

“Well, he’ll save a dance for you, Sheik,” Zelda said. “But he’s already promised me one.” Link still looked at Sheik with disbelieving eyes. He moved only when he felt a forceful tugging on his arm, Zelda leading him to where everyone was dancing.

He automatically placed his hands on Zelda’s waist as they began to dance, his mind still whirling. Finally he pulled his eyes away from where they had been standing and looked down at Zelda.

“Is that…?” Zelda smiled and nodded.

“It’s her,” Zelda said.

“H-how?” As he asked, Zelda removed one of her arms from around Link’s neck and brought it to her face. She brushed her hair away from her long, elfin ear and tilted her head. Behind it, Link could see a small yet pronounced scar.

“How else?” she said, dropping her hair back and returning her hand. “Blood weaving. It wasn’t easy. It’s one thing to learn the skill, which already takes years. I also had to weave my alter ego into reality. Ganon thought he had accomplished something by creating an evil version of you. I guarantee you that this was more difficult.”

Link tried to take it all in. It was really her. The Sheikah girl he had thought and dreamed of every day for seven years. She was here, and real. It still didn’t seem possible. A question surfaced in Link’s mind, one he was afraid to ask.

“Does she… remember me?” Zelda’s smile faded, but she didn’t drop her gaze.

“Nobody does, Link. Nobody but us. All she knows is the life she has now. She is a full blooded Sheikah born of my heart and soul. She is my body guard and dear friend. She doesn’t know anything of her past life.”

Link nodded, trying not to feel as crushed as he did. What could he have expected?

The song the two friends danced to faded, and Zelda released her hold on Link. She took hold of his hand as the next song started.

“Come on,” she said. “You owe her a dance.” Zelda weaved through the crowd of dancers with Link dragging behind. Sheik was still standing by the podium, staring up at the castle. She turned as the neared her. Once more Link caught a glimpse of her, and felt as though he was dreaming. But she was looking at him, as if waiting for something. He suddenly remembered.

“Would you, um… care to, ah… to dance?” For a moment he had a horrid feeling that she would say no. It passed, though, and the Sheikah girl smiled beautifully.

“I’d love to,” she said. She looked to Zelda, who nodded her head. Sheik held out her hand for Link to take, and the two of them walked amongst the dancing people of Hyrule.

Sheik stared up at him as they danced. Her look was still unreadable. He knew that he was still wearing one of disbelief. Even with her arms around his shoulders, it was hard to believe.

“Zelda’s told me so much of you,” Sheik said. “I feel like I know you already.” Link nodded and smiled.

“I know what you mean.” Silence followed. Link dropped his gaze. He didn’t know whether to be overjoyed or miserable. She was here, after all this time, something he never would have thought possible. But, she didn’t know him. It was as if they had never met.

“Link…” he looked back up to Sheik. Her amber eyes stared into his blue ones, her face closer to his then he remembered. He felt himself leaning closer to her, unable to stop himself and not wanting to. Their lips met, softly at first, then more passionately. Sheik pulled away from him, their foreheads still pressed together.

“I know I’ve never met you…” she said. “But I feel like I have. I dream of you all the time. We’re surrounded by clouds. I promised never to forget you…”

Link smiled, unable to find the words to say. He kissed her again, and found his voice.

“I promised, too,” he said. “I haven’t forgotten you.”

Their lips met once more as they danced together, their memories divided, their feelings unchanged.

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THE END